Foire aux questions
Q: How are middle school levels determined?
A: We have tried to allow for the variety of middle school programs by distinguishing two levels. Simply put:
Middle School 1 (a.k.a 01) designates students who do not have French every day of the school year.
Middle School 2 (a.k.a 02) designates students who have French for any period of time every day of the school year.
Q: I am a teacher, and I have students who will be competing in the contest. Can I also be a judge?
A: Absolutely! In fact, we can use all the volunteers we can get. Judges must be assigned to a category & level in which no students from their school are competing. However, teachers who have students competing may prefer one of our other volunteer roles so that you can see some of your students perform. Judges are more or less bound to the performance room for the majority of the contest.
Q: Are parents/friends/teachers able to watch performances?
A: Of course! We will clear the room after each performance, but all invited guests of the performing student may sit in the back of the room and watch. Cameras and camcorders are also welcome.
Q: If I have one student who is competing in two events, is that one registration fee or two?
A: Registration fees are assessed per student, per event, so in that example, that would be two registration fees.
Q: I have registered a student who has decided not to participate. What do I do?
A:
- If you are simply canceling, as long as the payment deadline has not passed, you can simply email the change, and that's that.
- If you are canceling AFTER the payment deadline, please be so kind as to pay the registration fee, as materials for that student will have already been ordered.
- Lastly, if you have a change in the students participating, but the entries/levels are still the same, even at the last minute, that is no problem at all.
Q: When can we expect prizes to be awarded?
A: Prizes will be distributed on the day of the contest. If a teacher is not in attendance, it is recommended that you designate a person to pick up prizes at the contest. Scores are tabulated as quickly as possible and prize envelopes are put together with the correct number and type of prize ribbons and enough blank certificates to take back to school and fill out.
Q: Is there a certain attire that is expected for students?
A: There are no rules regarding attire, but most students have chosen to dress up a bit for the occasion.
Q: I have a mixed-level group of students who would like to present an impromptu conversation, song, skit, or reader's theater event. At which level do I register them?
A: In the case of even numbers of students at each level, go with the higher of the two when registering. e.g. A French 2 and a French 3 should be registered at Level 3 for the contest. When there is a majority of one level (Three French 1 students and a French 4 student should be registered at Level 1), go with the majority. This guideline can be adjusted at the discretion of the contest coordinator, but each event must have only one level on record.
Q: Are there minimum time expectations for each division?
A:
- Poetry: n/a
- Impromptu Conversation: Yes. See specific requirements for event.
- Skit and Reader's Theater: No. The maximum time is set at 15-minutes, but there are no requirements governing the minimum. As a rule of thumb for choosing texts, however, for the absolute minimum, including the introduction:
- Middle School (all levels) & High School Level 1: 3-4 minutes
- High School Levels 2 & 3: 5-7 minutes
- All other levels: 8-10 minutes